Research at our core.

We recognise that to be world leading, we must develop new studies, and become part of studies to maximise care. Sometimes this isn't about developing new wonder cures, but is instead about rigorously testing and challenging current practice to ensure the best possible treatments are used. Our research is clinically focussed, and is in conjunction with the University of Liverpool. Research is led by Mr Daniel Perry, Senior Lecturer and Consultant Surgeon. The work is funded largely by NIHR and ARUK, with additional recent project funding from the BMA, Perthes' Association and the John Monk Research Fund.

Current large-scale research that patients may be invited to participate with:

Perthes Disease and Slipped Epiphysis

The BOSS Study: The British Orthopaedic Surgery Surveillance Study. A national study lead by the University of Liverpool, and Alder Hey Hospital. This seeks to determine the outcome of children with both of these disorders. Both are under researched, and both have many clinical questions about treatment. Parents may be asked to consent to complete some questionnaires as part of this study. More info at www.BOSS.surgery.

Cerebral Palsy

CP-HOP - Cerebral Palsy Hip Outcomes Project: An international project lead from SickKids Hospital, Toronto which seeks to determine the outcomes with different forms of hip surgery. This involves closely following up children affected by cerebral palsy who have had hip surgery, and recording their outcomes.

Hip Dysplasia

GWAS in Children with DDH: A national study lead by Great Ormond Street Hospital. This collects cheek swabs from children with hip dysplasia (or blood if the child is anaesthetised for surgery), to try to determine the genetic components of hip dysplasia.

Bone Cysts

SBoCK - Simple Bone Cysts in Kids: An international trial lead from SickKids Hospital, Toronto which seeks to determine the best way to treat simple bone cysts. Patients with bone cysts will be screened to determine if they are eligible to participate. If so, then patients will either be treated by one of two standard treatments (A - curettage (scraping the cyst), or B curettage and insertion of a bone-substitute (scraping and putting in a graft material)). This will help determine if putting in the bone-substitute aids healing, or wether it slightly increases the risks and costs associated with surgery, without any meaningful significant gain.

Rare Diseases

The RUDY study is a national study, based at Oxford University. This collects information about rare bone and joint diseases. At the centre of this is an online database which collects information of individuals with such diseases. If an individual agrees to participate, then details about the individual will be stored on the database. Individuals will be contacted to determine their symptoms, and how the disease affects their day-to-day life. This also gives the opportunity for researchers to contact individuals with these rare diseases in future to readily introduce them to other high quality research studies into their disease.